MCAEL Capacity Building Grants

Since 2008, MCAEL has provided grant funding to support a range of adult ESOL programs and classes that meet different learner needs in Montgomery County, Maryland.

The Grants Portal will open on February 24th.

Purpose of the MCAEL Grants Program

MCAEL aims to increase the number of English learning opportunities for adults in Montgomery County while working with organizations to strengthen their programs through sharing of best practices and technical assistance.

MCAEL Grant Types

MCAEL offers three types of grants that differ in size - Adult ESOL Program Grants, Access Grants, and Pathway Grants - SEE BELOW for detailed information on these grant types and the annual grants process.

MCAEL Grants Review Panel

Each year, a Grants Review Panel made up of community members helps determine funding for adult English classes across the county.


Interested in being involved? Learn how to be a panel member.

Congratulations to our 2024-2025 grant recipients! Click here to view the list of current grant partners as well as past grant recipients.


Grant Types & Use of Funding

Adult ESOL Program Grant

  • What is this grant type for?

    Applicants for Program Grants must:  


    • Offer at least 120 hours of instructional time a year per learner (e.g. 3 hrs/wk. for 40 weeks)
    • Have an established infrastructure (staff and standard ESOL program components in place, including assessment measures) 
    • Be able to show a solid track record demonstrating the ability to successfully carry out the program
    • Have managed enrollment for its classes (registration dates with session start/end dates – not drop-in)

    A Program Grant may be used to maintain, expand, and improve the delivery of adult ESOL services to those who live and/or work in Montgomery County.  This includes supplementary services that enable more learners to attend ESOL classes, such as childcare and transportation support. Grant funding can also be used to strengthen the program management and organizational capacity of the organization to deliver English classes.  


  • Who is Eligible to Apply for this Grant?

    Applicants must be a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, have a similar designation from the U.S. Internal Revenue Service or have a partnership that includes a nonprofit organization with 501(c)(3) status. Nonprofits must be incorporated under state law. While applicants can have offices outside Montgomery County, beneficiaries of funded services must be either Montgomery County residents or employed in Montgomery County.  An organization may apply for MCAEL funding regardless of whether it has applied for other County-administered grant programs. Applicants who receive funding one year are not guaranteed funding in subsequent years – funding is dependent on many factors including performance in the current and/or previous years. 

Adult ESOL Access Grant

  • What is this grant type for?

    Access Grants can support:

    • Classes that are drop-in (adult learners may join at any time during a session/semester)
    • Programs that offer fewer than 120 hours of instructional time per learner per year

    Access Grants are mainly to be used for the direct costs of implementing adult ESOL classes, but also may be used for learner support, such as childcare during instruction and transportation assistance.


  • Who is Eligible to Apply for this Grant?

    Applicants must be a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, have a similar designation from the U.S. Internal Revenue Service or have a partnership that includes a nonprofit organization with 501(c)(3) status. Nonprofits must be incorporated under state law. While applicants can have offices outside Montgomery County, beneficiaries of funded services must be either Montgomery County residents or employed in Montgomery County.  An organization may apply for MCAEL funding regardless of whether it has applied for other County-administered grant programs. Applicants who receive funding one year are not guaranteed funding in subsequent years – funding is dependent on many factors including performance in the current and/or previous years.

Pathway Grant

  • What is this grant type for?

    Pathway Grants can support: 

    • Classes that are drop-in (adult learners may join at any time during a session/semester)
    • Start-up or recently established adult ESOL classes 
    • Programs that offer fewer than 120 hours of instructional time per learner per year 

    Funding is to be used for the direct costs of adult ESOL classes but may be used for childcare during instruction if the budget allows.  Pathway Grants include a Program Development Assistance consultation at the outset of the grant period if needed and program advice/support throughout the year. 

  • Who is Eligible to Apply for this Grant?

    Nonprofit groups that are incorporated in the state of Maryland; 501c3 tax-exempt status is not required.

     

    Previous year recipients of grants of $7,500 or less


    Applicants for a Program and/or Access grant are not eligible to apply for a Pathway Grant.

Grants Application Q&A with MCAEL Staff

Are you a first-time applicant or new staff for your program or access grant? Join the MCAEL Staff Q & A on March 18, 19, and 20! You will have 30 minutes to ask questions. Please:

 Register for a Q&A Session Here


The Grants Portal will open on February 24th

We encourage applicants to refer to MCAEL’s Interactive maps and analysis when developing your application.  For questions about whether your organization or project aligns well with MCAEL's priorities, please Contact Us.